Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

WH Deploys National Guard Troops Amid California Unrest; Abrego Garcia Returned to U.S., Faces Trafficking Charges; Kharkiv Reels From Massive Back-to-Back Strikes; Colombian Presidential Hopeful Shot, Suspect Arrested; No Truce Yet Between U.S. President & World's Richest Man; CNN Producer Shares Pilgrimage to Islam's Holiest Site; U.N. to Host Third Ocean Conference from June 9 to 13. Aired 2-3 am ET

Aired June 08, 2025 - 02:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:00:25]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Lynda Kinkade. Let's get right to our breaking news. U.S. President Donald Trump is deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles after a second day of protests against immigration detentions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Marines are on high alert for mobilization, quote, "if violence continues."

Well, California Governor Gavin Newsom is highly critical of these developments and is calling Hegseth's threat "deranged behavior." This was the scene earlier.

Law enforcement authorities in riot gear deployed tear gas and flashbang grenades just as they did during protests on Friday. Julia Vargas Jones was on the scene and has filed this report from downtown Los Angeles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am in downtown Los Angeles where protesters have been gathering outside the federal building that houses ICE and USCIS. It is also a detention center. They are saying release the 118 people that were arrested in ICE operations this week. They're saying, "there's no room for ICE in Los Angeles." And they just moments ago cheered saying that the National Guard will not make a difference. They will continue to resist.

And we have been seeing some scenes of defiance both here in downtown Los Angeles as well as in Paramount, California where earlier on Saturday ICE had a staging area and then clashed with protesters there, deploying some tear gas and a scene that developed for hours and hours. Later across the highway in Compton, California we saw a car set on

fire by protesters holding a Mexican flag there as they set that vehicle on fire. That's again about an hour south of where we are now and where we saw action today. But last night this was also a scene of protests. It seems that Los Angeles is responding to this and that is being echoed by the officials here as well. The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, saying that she was angered by this calling it a terror tactic.

Governor Gavin Newsom saying that these were cruel operations that were taking place here in Los Angeles and saying that bringing the National Guard would only fan the flames of these protests that are so far under control. The LAPD issuing a statement later on Saturday saying that the protests in L.A. City were peaceful.

Now, President Donald Trump did speak about this on Truth Social. He posted saying that there were looters across town and that the National Guard was needed in order to bring back the order to this town and these authorities here pushing back on that narrative saying things are under control, peaceful protests are taking place, but people have the right to protest.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Our thanks to Julia there. Estrellazul Corral is a social worker in Pasadena who works with the unhoused population. She was there at the protests and joins us now live from Los Angeles.

Thanks so much for your time.

ESTRELLAZUL CORRAL, SOCIAL WORKER: Yes, thank you for having me.

KINKADE: So, for two days in a row, you know, you've been out there among the protesters chanting out about ICE. We've heard that people have been hit with tear gas, with rubber bullets. What have you experienced?

CORRAL: Well, exactly that. I was just tear gassed this evening before I got home, and last evening we were confronted actually with LAPD, which is the Los Angeles Police Department, after they were called because ICE felt they were being intimidated even though we were peacefully just protesting that, you know, we wanted our citizens to stop being terrorized by them.

So, you know, it's pretty alarming. It's scary, but I think we're all out there because we feel that ICE is coming into our communities and purposefully trying to scare us. They're coming in with military-type gear, with tanks into working-class communities and specifically targeting predominantly Hispanic areas like Los Angeles, you know, the warehouse district and the flower market and the fashion district area. And those are people just working, you know. They're just trying to work and living.

[02:05:03] KINKADE: Was there a particular case or an incident that galvanized your involvement in this movement?

CORRAL: You know, I think one of the things and the story that -- that's happening, that's unfolding, is, you know, individuals are trying to follow what, you know, the protocols and the process and going in for their usual checks with immigration and checking in and there was one woman who's 20 years old. She was -- she was doing her check-in with immigration. Her next court hearing was going to be for her to see if she was going to get asylum and then they detained her.

And, you know, so people are trying to do it the right way, even though the system is -- is difficult to navigate, it's very hard, it's a long, arduous process, but they're still trying and then they're still being punished for it. There's been tents in the federal building being put outside because there's so many individuals that are cramming into these cells. People have been without water for 12 to 24 hours. And, you know, we're just not going to stand for that.

KINKADE: We know tonight, well, in the last few hours, 2,000 National Guard troops were ordered by the U.S. President to disperse you and other protesters. How will you and others respond when they do arrive? Are you going to be protesting again tomorrow?

CORRAL: Absolutely, and I think, you know, the more they try to spark fears, the more we're adamant that this is our community, this is where we live, these are our children, our mothers, our fathers, you know, our sisters, our brothers, and we are going to make sure they know that we are speaking out for them and we're having a voice for them. And we're not going to let them terrorize our community.

KINKADE: The LAPD says the protests in L.A. City are peaceful, but elsewhere earlier on Saturday, we saw a car set on fire. Just explain the overall goal of these protests.

CORRAL: Yeah, the protests I have been at have been peaceful. We've had cardboard signs. I think in any situation, you're going to have individuals who are going to act in impulsive, you know, impulsive ways and so we can't control everybody. But our goal is for it to be peaceful, for them to hear that we're not accepting federal ICE agents coming into our communities, you know, purposefully presenting themselves in a scary, very military way. That's not how this should be done if the goal is to protect communities against, you know, crime. It just doesn't make any sense.

So, you know, I can't speak to individuals that there was a car set on fire. I don't know that situation, but every -- you know, where I was at, it was peaceful. At the end of the night, there was six of us. I was actually on the sidewalk, and, you know, police still -- still had their batons drawn on us, still had their gas, you know, grenades or whatever they call them pointed at us. So, you know, I just think they're creating the escalation, not us.

KINKADE: We've heard of dozens of protesters being arrested or detained. Have you seen any arrests take place and are you concerned? CORRAL: I have seen that and I am concerned. I mean, I won't say that isn't something I'm worried about, but I think we have a right to peacefully protest. You know, they were saying it was an unlawful assembly. Unlawful assembly is a legal term that describes individuals with the intent to commit a crime and that's why they're gathering. And that is not why we're gathering. We're here to say we support our community, this is our community, and we don't want children to be scared going to school. We don't want people being scared who are just going and trying to make a living and working and being ripped out of their -- their -- their jobs. And children out of their schools, they went to a graduation, a middle school graduation to detain parents and children were having to witness that. That's not acceptable in our community or society at large.

KINKADE: Estrellazul Corral, we appreciate your time and sharing your perspective with us. Thanks so much.

CORRAL: Thank you so much for -- for letting me speak.

KINKADE: Well, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador back in March is now back in the United States, but he's facing new criminal charges, including transporting thousands of undocumented people to the U.S. Our Rafael Romo reports.

[02:10:17]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains in federal custody after he appeared in court Friday night here at the federal courthouse in downtown Nashville. He will have his next court appearance next Friday for his arraignment and detention hearing.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Friday afternoon that Abrego Garcia has been indicted on two criminal counts in the Middle District of Tennessee. According to the indictment on sealed Friday, Abrego Garcia and others are accused of being part of a conspiracy going as far back as 2016 in which they, quote, "knowingly and unlawfully transported thousands of undocumented aliens who had no authorization to be present in the United States and many of whom were MS-13 members and associates."

But Abrego Garcia and his family say he fled gang violence in El Salvador and have denied allegations he's associated with MS-13. This is part of what Attorney General Bondi said about the case when she announced Abrego Garcia had been returned to the United States.

PAM BONDI, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: Our government presented El Salvador with an arrest warrant and they agreed to return him to our country. Abrego Garcia has played a significant role in an alien smuggling ring. They found this was his full-time job, not a contractor. He was a smuggler of humans and children and women.

ROMO: In March, when Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official told CNN he was sent there due to what the official called an administrative error. Multiple Trump administration officials had said it was not up to them but the government of El Salvador to return him to the United States. An attorney for Abrego Garcia told CNN how his legal team found out he was returned to the country.

SIMON SANDOVAL-MOSHENBERG, KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA'S ATTORNEY: We learned about it on TV just like the rest of the country. What's clear -- this just makes crystal clear what we've been saying, frankly, for the past two months is that they've been playing games with the court. It just goes to show that they've been more interested in dragging his name through the than in actually sort of going through with proper court proceedings, just like it's been since day one.

ROMO: In a new development Saturday afternoon, President Trump said it was not his decision to bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States. The Department of Justice decided to do it that way and that's fine, Trump said in a phone interview with "NBC," adding that he expects it will be a very easy case for federal prosecutors.

Rafael Ramos, CNN, Nashville.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Ukraine's second largest city takes fire from Russia twice in a single day. Still ahead, the aftermath of deadly strikes on Kharkiv, which Ukraine's President says shows Moscow's real goals.

Plus, what we're learning about the latest strike in Gaza City targeting the leader of a Palestinian militant group.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:16:47]

KINKADE: Ukraine's second largest city is trying to get back on its feet following two waves of back-to-back strikes by Russia. Officials say Kharkiv was pounded by Russian glide bombs on Saturday night, just hours after the city saw its worst attack since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion. Five people were killed Saturday, and more than a dozen others were wounded.

Witnesses described the chaos that broke out as residential buildings were hit, and people scrambled to get to safety. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strikes pure terrorism, and said they show the Kremlin's real face.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): No matter what anyone says, these Russian attacks are not retaliatory. They are intended for destruction, complete destruction of life. That is their goal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, Russia says it put out a fire at a chemical plant struck by Ukrainian drones. Well, a governor said on Sunday that two people were injured in the attack on that plant. It's less than 200 kilometers south of Moscow. Officials say there's no threat to air quality, but environmental teams will monitor the area.

Were Ukraine and Russia trading blame over a prisoner swap that failed to materialize? Moscow said it would have been the largest such exchange since the war began, but would have included both living POWs and the remains of dead soldiers. Sebastian Shukla has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEBASTIAN SHUKLA, CNN PRODUCER: A prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine has descended into a blame game and left the whole process in utter disarray. On Saturday, Russia accused Ukraine of failing to keep their word following agreements made in Istanbul on Monday over an arranged prisoner swap, the second between the two warring nations. The Russian Ministry of Defense posting graphic videos and statements on Telegram said they had arrived at the location with 1,200 frozen bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers in refrigerated trucks.

Videos from the exchange site, which are graphic, show the Ministry of Defense workers opening the doors of those trucks where white body bags are clearly visible, where the ministry claimed that those are just the first bodies of Ukrainian servicemen with thousands of others following behind.

ALEXANDER ZORIN, FIRST DEPUTY CHIEF OF INFORMATION, RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES (through translator): There are 1,212 bodies in the convoy, three more echelons, each with 1,200 bodies, and one motorized echelon, which will also carry 1,200 bodies, are being prepared for the departure in the near future. The total number will exceed 6,000 people. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian side has not confirmed the exchange today. It has been postponed indefinitely.

SHUKLA: The Ukrainians, for their part, responded to that accusation by saying the two had agreed to a swap, but that the date had yet to be agreed. Ukraine's coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war warned the Russians to stop playing dirty games and return to constructive work. But the fact it didn't happen and the trading of accusations may be the most telling of all.

Efforts to bring a stop to the fighting showed no signs of being heeded. And over the last two nights, Ukraine has been pummeled by Russian attacks. The latest on the second largest city of Kharkiv, just 20 miles from the Russian border.

[02:20:04]

And overnight, the mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said that 40 explosions had rocked his city and left three people dead, and that was followed by fresh attacks on Saturday afternoon that appeared to have taken place with at least one person dying after an attack on a children's playground. And those attacks come after a huge barrage, one of the largest of the war, was launched across Ukraine with 400 drones and 40 missiles launched to all parts of the country. These consecutive attacks seem to be the retaliation for the audacious and meticulously planned Ukrainian intelligence attack launched from deep inside Russia that President Putin vowed to retaliate against. He even told President Trump in as much in a phone call between the two men earlier this week.

What remains unclear though at the moment is whether this prisoner swap will get back on track and whether President Putin has finished sending his response or if more attacks may or should be expected forcing innocent Ukrainians to run for shelter once again.

Sebastian Shukla, CNN, Berlin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: The Israeli military claims it's killed the leader of a Palestinian militant group that took part in the October 7th terror attacks. The Mujahideen Brigades confirmed that Asaad Abu Sharia's death along with his brother. An Israeli airstrike hit their family home in the Sabra area of Gaza City according to the Enclave Civil Defense. Hamas-run media reports that the strike killed at least 15 people and injured several others.

A controversial U.S.-backed aid group in Gaza says it's closed its distribution sites on Saturday allegedly because of direct threats from Hamas. The group did not give any details about those threats. A Hamas official told Reuters news agency that he has no knowledge of such alleged threats. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was contracted to deliver aid and food after an 11-week Israeli blockade of Gaza. But the group has been fiercely criticized by humanitarian organizations for alleged lack of neutrality.

Israel says the body of the last Thai hostage was recovered from Gaza on Friday. Nattapong Pinta was abducted from the Kibbutz near Oz where he had been working in agriculture to support his family back in Thailand. Israel's Defense Minister said, quote, "We will not rest until all the hostages living and deceased are returned home." The announcement comes just days after Israel recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages.

Colombia's president is vowing to hunt down whoever was behind the shooting of a political rival. Presidential hopeful Senator Miguel Uribe was shot at a campaign event in Bogota Saturday. He is reportedly in hospital in a critical but stable condition. Suspect has been arrested. CNN Contributor Stefano Pozzebon has more now from Bogota and a warning, his report does contain graphic content.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: The latest is that Senator Uribe is still fighting for his life at a hospital here in Bogota, the hospital of the Fundacion Santa Fe, just about a couple of kilometers from where I'm standing. The president of Colombia was on live television addressing the nation just minutes ago, saying that no effort is being spared and that the priority for today is to stabilize the situation and for Uribe to survive the night. We understand that the senator and presidential candidate is being -- is being treated by a neurosurgeon because he received shots at his head.

This is clearly a dramatic moment in the history, in the recent history of Colombia. The images that were received on Saturday afternoon are indeed quite graphic as the attempted killer was able to reach -- to arrive very, very close, frankly, to the senator and was able to shot him, to shot at least eight bullets. And we understand from authorities that he hit the target at least twice.

The police have said that they have apprehended one minor, only 15 years old, as the attempted killer. But looking, taking a step back and look at what it means for Colombia, well, this is indeed a return to an era that Colombia frankly hoped to leave behind its back, an era when bullets rather than ballots used to be the rule here in Colombian politics. Take a listen to what one analyst told me just hours ago.

SERGIO GUZMAN, POLITICAL ANALYST, COLOMBIA RISK ANALYSIS: It had been a couple of decades since any Colombian presidential candidate had been assassinated on the campaign trail and Miguel Uribe's assassination attempt today reveals that we are going back in time significantly. The question now is how the different political factions react, the effect that this assassination attempt will have on the presidential race and the tone with which the president and the ruling party take this further.

[02:25:10]

POZZEBON: The attack has drawn universal condemnation. The secretary of state of the United States, Marco Rubio, tweeted out his vicinity and closeness to the family of Miguel Uribe and called on the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, to unite the nation. We're still more than 15 months away, frankly, from the presidential election, which are due for the summer of 2026. But unfortunately, the campaign is now already tinted with a -- tinted with a blood.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Our thanks to Stefano Pozzebon. We'll still have Donald Trump's warning to Elon Musk if he decides to back democratic candidates as their fallout deepens.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KINKADE: Welcome back. No signs of a makeup between U.S. President Donald Trump and the world's richest man. On Saturday, Donald Trump said Elon Musk would, quote, "pay the consequences," unquote, if he follows through on his threat to challenge Republicans who vote for his so-called big, beautiful bill.

CNN's Betsy Klein is following the latest developments.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: White House officials spent the end of the week trying to diffuse and downplay that explosive breakup between President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

[02:30:02]

Now, this all started because of disagreements over the president's sweeping domestic agenda that is working its way through Congress. Musk believes that that bill will add too much to the federal deficit. Of course, it quickly devolved as the two began trading personal insults on dueling social media platforms owned by each of the men.

But this could have very real-world consequences. Musk at one point indicated openness to the possibility of impeaching the president, removing him from office and installing Vice President J.D. Vance. But of course, he has vowed to spend millions of dollars in the 2026 midterm elections on Trump aligned candidates. All of that is now in question amid this feud.

The president said that there could be serious consequences in an interview with "NBC News" if Musk chooses to donate and back Democratic candidates who run against Republicans who vote in favor of this bill. Separately, the president is also threatening to review some of Musk's business's federal contracts. That, of course, could have billions of dollars in impact.

Now, the president has told his staff to stay focused on this so- called big, beautiful bill working its way through the Senate right now. He also told his Vice President, J.D. Vance, to speak diplomatically when asked about the situation. And for his part, the president has been quite muted when asked about it himself. Take a look.

REPORTER: What's your view on Elon Musk as of today? I mean, have you heard from him at all? Has your team --

DONALD TRUMP (R), U.S. PRESIDENT: Honestly, I've been so busy working on China, working on Russia, working on Iran, working on so many. I'm not thinking about Elon.

REPORTER: Do you have any plans to speak with Mr. Musk? This was one of your closest advisors.

TRUMP: No, I don't have any plans.

KLEIN: And yet, this feud has spawned gossip across Washington and the West Wing with one former Trump aide saying that everyone is talking about it. And even though the president says he doesn't care, we have reported that the president is privately polling allies and advisors on whether they believe that some of Musk's behavior over the past few days has been impacted by his reported drug use. Of course, all of this comes at such a critical moment for the president's signature legislation that faces key deadlines coming up and very tight margins in Congress.

Betsy Klein, CNN, traveling with the president in New Jersey.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, as countries around the globe mark World Oceans Day, biologist Sir David Attenborough explains the dire need to protect marine environments. We'll have his -- his interview with Prince William, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:36:25]

KINKADE: It's one of the largest mass gatherings in the world. Hajj, or the annual pilgrimage Muslims make to Mecca, Islam's holiest site, began on Wednesday and is coming to a close. CNN Producer Kareem El Damanhoury is one of the millions of worshippers who embarked on the journey this year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAREEM EL DAMANHOURY, CNN PRODUCER (voice-over): The Hajj, or the Muslim pilgrimage, it is one of the largest annual gatherings in the world. This year, about 2 million people are performing Hajj, but that's less than 0.1% of the world's Muslim population.

(On camera): Hey, I'm Kareem, one of the lucky ones who will be fulfilling the Hajj dream in 2025. And so, I'll be taking you with me all the way from here in Denver, Colorado, to Saudi Arabia, where I'm going to be stoning the devil. More on that later. In the meantime, off we go.

(Voice-over): In that long flight to Saudi, a few things to know about Hajj. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, meaning every Muslim must do it once in their lifetime. But that's only if they are able to, because you can expect to walk at least 25 kilometers during Hajj, and it's expensive. I am paying about $12,000 to go there. And by there, I mean Mecca, which only Muslims can enter, and its surroundings. I'll be showing you the different rituals there.

(On camera): And now I'm finally in Mecca with the Rida and the Izar, which are simply two pieces of unstitched clothing. Every during Hajj must put on those two pieces of unstitched clothing, whether they are rich or poor. They can no longer put on fancy clothes, perfumes, clip their nails, shave their beard, cut their hair, fight, or even argue. And you can imagine how tough that could be, especially if you're in the scorching heat, in an overcrowded place for days on end.

(Voice-over): But I actually love that synergy about Hajj. Think about that for a sec. Two million people of all colors coming from about 200 countries, all doing the same rituals and looking the same.

(On camera): This is the most important ritual, the climax of the Hajj, so to speak, standing on Mount Arafat. In just a couple of hours, the temperature will reach 42 degrees Celsius or 107 Fahrenheit. It doesn't seem, however, that the temperature had taken away from the spiritual experience.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): The first thing I feel is this divine atmosphere. It gives you goosebumps.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): I prayed to God that I could stand on this mountain and He granted me this wish.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): It's the Day of Arafat. We have prayed for the whole world. For Senegal and the world.

EL DAMANHOURY (on camera): It is past midnight here in Muzdalifah, and people are already starting to head out by bus. But many others prefer to stay and then leave right before sunrise, heading to the 10th city of Mina. So I'll be sleeping here on the sidewalk with thousands of other pilgrims.

(On camera): I promised earlier to show you the stoning of the devil. OK, so pilgrims should have gathered pebbles in Muzdalifah, or sometimes they are handed to you, and then head to this site to throw them at pillars symbolizing Satan. This can obviously be dangerous because of overcrowding. The Saudi government has since taken intensive measures for safety, including the expansion of the bridge where the stoning happens into multiple levels, with numerous ramps and exits to avoid overcrowding.

Today is finally the first day of Eid, aka feast. I just finished stoning the devil, and I'm en route to the Kaaba for one more step before I get my brand-new look. And that's it, I just got my brand-new look and fully shaved my head, which is actually something I've never done before.

But more importantly, I can now change into regular clothes. There's also a ritual slaughter and distribution of the meat to the poor, but that will be done on my behalf. I'm going to be staying here for a few more days before I head back to Colorado. But for now, it's official. I am a Hajji, which is what you call somebody who completes hajj. And for me, this is indeed a very happy, maybe even the happiest ever.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[02:40:15]

KINKADE: Well, it's World Oceans Day. The annual celebration raises global awareness of the issues impacting our oceans. Rising sea temperatures, pollution and overfishing, as well as deep sea mining are among the most critical to be discussed at the UN's Ocean Conference in France this week.

During a recent interview with Prince William environmental advocate Sir David Attenborough outlined the severity of the situation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, BROADCASTER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE: What we have done to the deep ocean floor is just unspeakably awful. I mean, if you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms. Something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Great treasure indeed. Well, joining me now to do a deeper dive into all of this live from the U.N. Summit's host city of Nice is French MP Eleonore Caroit. Thanks for joining us.

ELEONORE CAROIT, FRENCH PARLIAMENT MEMBER: Thank you so much for having me. Good morning.

KINKADE: Good morning. So World Ocean Day, first formulated in 1992, now marked in 140 countries to highlight the ocean's crucial role in regulating the climate, producing healthy oxygen we breathe and of course, supporting the planet's largest ecosystem.

Just take us, if you can, through this year's theme and why action for a cleaner, healthier ocean is more urgent than ever.

CAROIT: Well, yes, you're right. You're absolutely right to remind those figures. They are very telling. What is happening is that there is a rise of global awareness of the importance of the ocean. And we're all gathered in Nice for the UNOC 3, that's the United Nations Conference on the Ocean. And it is important to say the ocean and not the oceans because it's all interconnected.

And what you do here in Nice will have an impact in the Pacific and everywhere else in the world. So, we're all connected in this topic. And there are very big issues that we need to address. Plastic pollution is one of them, maritime transportation and how it pollutes the ocean, MPAs, maritime protected areas, and how we harmonize them. There's several topics within that topic, but we're all working together here in Nice to achieve global commitments and harmonize our regulations.

KINKADE: Yeah. And of course, this is the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. And I understand you're going to be hosting a Parliament of the Sea. What exactly is that?

CAROIT: Well, this is the first time parliamentarians from around the world gather together during an UNOC conference to be part of it, to take their responsibility. Because parliamentarians are usually not invited to these great gatherings or just as observers, when indeed it is them that vote the legislation that will allow you to then put in place the agreements that are taken at the COPs or at the UNOCs.

So, we are working on one main issue, which is the ratification of the treaty, the BBNJ. We're still missing a few countries for this treaty to be able to enter into force. And this has been a tremendous parliamentarian work. But there are other aspects and other topics that we need to work together and harmonize our home legislation if we want to achieve results.

KINKADE: Yeah, I mean, there's a lot of work to be done. Just thinking about the mounting threats that oceans face from warming waters and overfishing to pollution and plastic waste entering our food chain. In your view, what is the most urgent challenge right now? And where should global efforts be focused?

CAROIT: So, the high seas is one of them because the high seas is the ocean, the seas that does not belong to any country, that is beyond the national jurisdiction. And this is where everything is happening. It's a no man's land. There's no regulation. People are polluting without any consequences. And once we get this treaty to enter into force, there'll be a possibility to regulate what is happening in the high seas and even to create margin protected areas in those zones that do not belong to countries. And that is going to be huge.

And to remind you that 60% of the surface, the global surface of the sea. But then, of course, plastic pollution, you mentioned that we all eat about the equivalent of a credit card per month in plastic in the water. That is the microplastics in the water that we consume every day. And that is obviously very bad for health. So, working against the production of single use plastic because it always ends up in the sea. It's also a major one. So, achieving a global treaty on plastic production is one.

Another important one is reducing the speed of maritime transportation because that will reduce drastically the pollution. These are three ones that we're going to discuss today.

[02:45:07]

Another one is deep sea mining. You know, France has taken a very strong stance to forbid the deep sea mining. And there are other countries like the U.S., for instance, that has a totally different view. And that would be irreversible and dramatic for oceans.

KINKADE: And in terms of grass roots initiatives, can you share some examples that you know are happening that reflect this year's theme?

CAROIT: Yeah, there's so many and it's incredible here in Nice. I'm a bit frustrated because I'm in a room and not outside at the sea because the city is a party in it by itself. You have NGOs, you have civil society all showcasing what they're doing to protect the ocean.

You have people that are turning problems into solutions. For instance, the sargassum, the proliferation of seaweed that is affecting the beaches in the Caribbean, for instance, they're using it for the agriculture. There's so many projects and it would be really interesting that you'd speak to the civil society promoting these projects.

KINKADE: Yeah, they would be good discussions to have hopefully next time. Eleonore Caroit, appreciate your time. Thanks so much for joining us and for all the work you're doing.

CAROIT: Thank you for the interest and let's keep protecting the oceans.

KINKADE: Absolutely. Thousands of people gathered in Poland's liberal stronghold of Gdansk for the World Pride celebrations. Some of them said they wanted to show support for the LGBTQ community after Poland just elected a conservative president. He said marriage should remain between a man and a woman and that he would not support legalizing civil unions.

There were brutal attacks during World Pride celebrations in Washington D.C. on Saturday. Two people were stabbed, another shot in separate incidents. They are all expected to be OK. The violence overshadowed events meant to support the LGBT plus community. But earlier in the day, a parade to mark the anniversary of World Pride drew thousands of people to the Capitol as our Julia Benbrook reports. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations here in Washington, D.C. And according to the Capitol Pride Alliance, when these festivities started taking place in 1975, they had a couple thousand people. And now this event has grown into hundreds of thousands of people.

On top of that this year, this is World Pride. So, organizers are hoping to reach even more people from more areas. And as I spoke with attendees, there were a couple of themes that regularly came up. Community, acceptance, respect. But many of the people I spoke with put an emphasis on wanting people who are visiting Washington specifically right now to feel those things.

TYLER WONG, PRIDE ATTENDEE: Obviously, D.C. is going through a very fraught time right now. There's a lot of conversation and discussion about pulling back DEI and talking about, you know, LGBTQ issues and other social issues. But seeing having World Pride in D.C. and having people from all over the world come and celebrate and join in this celebration is truly heartwarming and inspiring. And it makes me feel confident that, you know, even though some things might be going on, the direction and the trends are still going to be steady.

BENBROOK: And this parade route ends near the White House. Earlier, I spoke with a couple who traveled in from Dallas, Texas. They said that they made plans to come to World Pride here over a year ago before they knew who was going to win the election.

THOMAS DOAN, PRIDE ATTENDEE: We actually, after Trump won, we thought we were going to cancel. We weren't going to come. But then we thought, why let them win? You know, when we were here, you know, we're not going away, no matter what they do, no matter what they say. And we had to be here.

BENBROOK: Now, this parade is just one of the events taking place today. There was a block party. There are concerts. And this all continues for Sunday as well.

Julia Benbrook, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: A horse named Journalism was off on the racetrack again this weekend. He won the Preakness. But can he win or did he win the Belmont Stakes? We'll have that story next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:53:15]

KINKADE: Welcome back. The horse Sovereignty has now won two parts of the Triple Crown. He won the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, as well as last month's Kentucky Derby. On Saturday, the colt bested second-place Journalism by thundering past in on the home stretch. Though this win gives Sovereignty victory in two legs of the Triple Crown, his team put out of the Preakness Stakes race last month. Journalism won that race and was the only horse to run all three legs of the Triple Crown.

Well, on Saturday, American Coco Gauff claimed her second career Grand Slam singles title, coming from behind to defeat world number one Aryna Sabalenka. It was a thrilling French Open in the women's final, as CNN's Patrick Snell talks about all the action.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Well, what an absolute classic of a final it was. Breathtaking entertainment at Roland-Garros on Saturday, as top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and the USA's Coco Gauff went head-to- head, and it is the American player who's celebrating her second career Grand Slam singles title.

Strong wins would be a factor throughout this contest in the French capital, but it would be Sabalenka seeking a fourth Grand Slam singles crown, who began superbly to race into a 4-1 lead. But the American player knows a thing or two about winning on the Paris clay. Remember, she won the women's doubles title last year in Paris, and it was no surprise when she fights back to level the match at four apiece.

Coco then crucially breaking her rival's serve to send this epic 80- minute first set to a tiebreaker with an incredible passing shot there. Really terrific stuff from Gauff and then, but that is when the Belarusian star really upped her game at 5-all in that tiebreaker, and then came the point that clinched it. Just brilliant composure and skill from Sabalenka as she takes the opener.

[02:55:07]

But Coco Gauff all fired up, and what a comeback in the second as she powers her way through it to level the match. Gauff winning it six games to two, and we're headed to the decider. Sabalenka looked flustered in terms of her body language despite winning that opening set, was in trouble again in the third as all the momentum swings Coco's way.

A vital moment here as the U.S. star gets the break of serve to go 4-3 up in the all-important deciding set, and from there she would not look back. Coco Gauff wrapping up a famous victory, her second major singles title in one of the most incredible, sensational major finals we have seen in a long, long time. She can hardly believe it. Overcome with emotion there. Oh, what a moment for Coco Gauff. Our congratulations to her. Just sensational. What a comeback.

And with that, I'm going to send it right back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Thanks to Patrick Snell. Well, one more clash on the clay remains at Roland-Garros. World number one Jannik Sinner will face off against the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the men's final, taking place in a few hours. Sinner's path to the French Open final wasn't without drama and spectacle. On Friday, the Italian ousted 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in straight sets. It's been 15 years since Djokovic, a three-time Roland-Garros champion, in his own right, lost in straight sets in a major semifinal.

Well, Sinner is looking to capture his fourth Grand Slam title, while Alcaraz, who recently turned 22, will be vying for his fifth. Spoke about overachievers.

Well, thanks so much for joining us. I'm Lynda Kinkade aid. I'll be right back with much more CNN Newsroom in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)